Outdoor Chair Canopy With Hinged Frame for Wind-Stable Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor furniture canopies lack versatility in positioning and ease of use, as they often require complex attachment mechanisms and are not easily adaptable between overhead and behind-the-furniture configurations, and do not efficiently counter wind effects when in the overhead position.
Innovation Solution
A canopy system with frames that can be oriented in overhead, behind, or intermediate positions, featuring hinged and pivotally attached segments that allow for easy folding and reconfiguration, and a corrugated design that droops forward segments to counteract wind lift, ensuring stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a canopy is attached to furniture using complex attachment mechanisms, then the canopy can be securely fixed, but the ease of operation and reconfiguration between positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy structure is divided into multiple segments connected by hinges, allowing the canopy to be reconfigured between overhead and behind-the-furniture positions by simply pivoting the segments rather than using complex attachment mechanisms. This segmentation enables easy reconfiguration while maintaining secure fixation through the hinged connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy employs dynamic hinged connections that allow the structure to move between different positions (overhead, behind, intermediate) while maintaining secure attachment at each position. The hinges provide both flexibility for reconfiguration and stability when positioned, resolving the contradiction between fixed reliability and operational ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a canopy is designed to be easily reconfigurable between positions, then the adaptability improves, but the structural stability and resistance to wind effects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy is segmented into hinged sections that can be independently positioned, providing adaptability between overhead and behind positions. Each segment maintains structural integrity through its connection to the furniture, ensuring stability even when reconfigurable.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy design incorporates features that counteract wind lift effects, such as the corrugated structure and strategic positioning of segments, to prevent the canopy from being displaced during reconfiguration or when in the overhead position, thus maintaining stability while preserving position flexibility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a canopy uses a rigid structure to resist wind effects, then the stability improves, but the ease of folding and storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy structure is divided into multiple hinged segments that can be folded together for compact storage. When deployed, these segments form a rigid enough structure to resist wind effects, but when folded, they collapse into a compact configuration for easy storage, resolving the contradiction between wind resistance and folding ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy employs dynamic hinged connections that provide rigidity when deployed to resist wind, but allow the structure to collapse and fold compactly when needed for storage. The hinges transition the structure between a stable, wind-resistant configuration and a compact, easily stored configuration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a canopy is designed with multiple positioning options, then the versatility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy uses segmented hinged sections that naturally provide multiple positioning options (overhead, behind, intermediate) without requiring complex control mechanisms. Each hinge allows the segments to assume different angles and positions, providing versatility through simple geometric freedom rather than complex mechanical controls.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a versatile, stable, and user-friendly canopy solution that can be easily adjusted between positions, maintaining shade and protection from wind and weather, while being compact for storage.
Implementation Method 1
a corrugated design that droops forward segments to counteract wind lift, ensuring stability
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a frame which attaches to outdoor furniture, in particular to a chair, and a canopy. Embodiments can be moved from an overhead position to a behind the chair position. The frames can be moved from a collapsed to a fully extended position. In embodiments the canopy can be positioned to contain the collapsed frame and chair in the carrying position.